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Rheumatrex Drug Center

Rheumatrex (methotrexate) is an antimetabolite drug that is used to treat some cancers, severe skin diseases such as severe psoriasis, and to treat forms of rheumatoid arthritis. Its generic form is termed methotrexate. The drug, by interfering with folate metabolism, ultimately compromises nucleic acid production and tissue cell reproduction. Mild to moderate side effects may include stomatitis, nausea, abdominal pain, and leukopenia (low number of white cells in blood), but Rheumatrex also has many other severe side effects (see below); patients need to strictly follow prescribed doses and secure this drug from child access. Rheumatrex is supplied in 2.5 mg doses that are available in dose packs.

Dose packs are available in 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 mg packs. The dose is designed for each patient's problem and can range from about 7.5 mg per week to 30 mg per day, depending on the disease process and the doctor's judgment. This drug should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Rheumatrex has been used in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but most doses were individualized. Patients taking Rheumatrex should be informed about the many potential severe side effects of this drug, which can be lethal. Some of the more severe problems include GI bleeding, pancreatitis, aplastic anemia, pericarditis, pulmonary embolisms, convulsions, immunodepression, renal failure, abortion, and sudden death. Severe effects occur more frequently in patients taking the high doses of Rheumatrex.

Our Rheumatrex Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases, and conditions.